Quelle / Source in English
Offenbar ist das Hangover-Remake nach wie vor in Planung. Jedenfalls berichtet die TOI heute, dass Firoz Nadiadwala die Recht gekauft hat und dass Anees Bazmee einige Veränderungen an dem Skript vornehmen wird; das Remake, so heißt es hier, wird sich radikal von der Vorlage unterscheiden. (Ob das jetzt ein Vor- oder ein Nachteil ist, wird sich weisen.)
Akshay Kumar hat laut diesem Artikel seine Mitwirkung in dem Film abgelehnt und sich von den beiden ihm angebotenen Bazmee-Projekten für Hera Pheri 4 entschieden (soviel übrigens zu den Gerüchten, er sei aus HP4 ausgestiegen). Sanjay Dutt und Abhishek Bachchan dagegen freuen sich angeblich schon auf ihre Parts...
Dann warten wir mal ab, was daraus wird. Solange ich nicht von einem der beteiligten Herren eine Bestätigung höre oder vom Beginn der Dreharbeiten erfahre, glaub ich wie immer erst mal nix. *g*
Samstag, 30. Januar 2010
Sonntag, 17. Januar 2010
Sanjay Dutt is Sirsa Gullies T-10 team owner
Quelle / Source in English
Quelle / Source in English
Auch Sanjay Dutt hat jetzt sein Cricket-Team: das "Sirsa Gullies cricket team" für die "T-10 gully cricket season 2 'Ab Har Koi Khelega'", eine groß angelegte Nachwuchs- und Talentförder-Aktion für 15- bis 24-Jährige, an deren Ende ein Turnier vom 19. Januar bis zum 3. Februar steht. Brand Ambassador von T-10 Gully Cricket ist Riteish Deshmukh; neben Sanjay zählen auch Jimmy Shergill, Rajpal Yadav, Divya Dutta und Prachi Desai zu "Team-Besitzern".
Quelle / Source in English
Auch Sanjay Dutt hat jetzt sein Cricket-Team: das "Sirsa Gullies cricket team" für die "T-10 gully cricket season 2 'Ab Har Koi Khelega'", eine groß angelegte Nachwuchs- und Talentförder-Aktion für 15- bis 24-Jährige, an deren Ende ein Turnier vom 19. Januar bis zum 3. Februar steht. Brand Ambassador von T-10 Gully Cricket ist Riteish Deshmukh; neben Sanjay zählen auch Jimmy Shergill, Rajpal Yadav, Divya Dutta und Prachi Desai zu "Team-Besitzern".
Samstag, 16. Januar 2010
Sanjay, Anil, Govinda and Akshaye in Indra Kumar's next
Quelle / Source in English
Und wieder mal ein neues Filmgerücht um Sanjay Dutt:
Indra Kumar plant ab Mitte des Jahres neben seinem Double Dhamaal noch einen weiteren Film, diesen allerdings nicht für sein eigenes Banner, sondern für Shree Ashtavinayak Cine Vision. Neben Sanju sollen darin auch noch Anil Kapoor, Govinda und Akshaye Khanna spielen; der Rest muss noch gecastet werden. Dass der Film angeblich 3 Losers heißen soll, dementiert Kumar allerdings.
Schauen wir mal, was daraus wird.
Und wieder mal ein neues Filmgerücht um Sanjay Dutt:
Indra Kumar plant ab Mitte des Jahres neben seinem Double Dhamaal noch einen weiteren Film, diesen allerdings nicht für sein eigenes Banner, sondern für Shree Ashtavinayak Cine Vision. Neben Sanju sollen darin auch noch Anil Kapoor, Govinda und Akshaye Khanna spielen; der Rest muss noch gecastet werden. Dass der Film angeblich 3 Losers heißen soll, dementiert Kumar allerdings.
Schauen wir mal, was daraus wird.
Freitag, 15. Januar 2010
Sanjay Dutt nominated Best Actor in a Comedy Role at the Max Stardust Awards
Quelle / Source in English
Sanjay Dutt wurde bei den Max Stardust Awards in der Kategorie Best Actor in a Comedy Role für All The Best nominiert.
Sanjay Dutt is nominated for the Max Stardust Awards as Best Actor in a Comedy Role for All The Best.
Sanjay Dutt wurde bei den Max Stardust Awards in der Kategorie Best Actor in a Comedy Role für All The Best nominiert.
Sanjay Dutt is nominated for the Max Stardust Awards as Best Actor in a Comedy Role for All The Best.
Samstag, 9. Januar 2010
Sanjay Dutt resigns from Samajwadi Party post
Quelle / Source in English
Quelle / Source in English
Video
Sanjay Dutt hat bei einer Pressekonferenz bekanntgegeben, dass er, als Folge der Ämterniederlegung Amar Singhs, von seinem Posten als Generalsekretär der SP zurücktritt. Parteimitglied wird er bleiben, solange auch Amar Singh noch bei der SP ist; sollte Singh jedoch einen Parteiwechsel vollziehen (und entsprechende Verlautbarungen gab es bereits), wird er ihm folgen.
Er erklärt auch offen, dass er glücklich über seinen Rücktritt sei, da er von der SP kaum Anerkennung für seine Arbeit gefunden hat; im Gegenteil: Mehrfach wurde ihm klar zu verstehen gegeben, dass Filmstars wie er nicht gut für die Partei seien, und das schlechte Ergebnis bei den Wahlen wurde ihm persönlich und seinem Einsatz beim Wahlkampf angekreidet. Das habe ihn ebenso verletzt wie die schlechte Behandlung Amar Singhs durch die SP.
Ich denke, auf den Ausstieg von beiden auch aus der Partei selber können wir jetzt warten. Ebenso wie auf den Ausstieg von Jaya Pradha und Jaya Bachchan. Nafisa Ali hat ja schon vor einiger Zeit das Handtuch geworfen.
Quelle / Source in English
Video
Sanjay Dutt hat bei einer Pressekonferenz bekanntgegeben, dass er, als Folge der Ämterniederlegung Amar Singhs, von seinem Posten als Generalsekretär der SP zurücktritt. Parteimitglied wird er bleiben, solange auch Amar Singh noch bei der SP ist; sollte Singh jedoch einen Parteiwechsel vollziehen (und entsprechende Verlautbarungen gab es bereits), wird er ihm folgen.
Er erklärt auch offen, dass er glücklich über seinen Rücktritt sei, da er von der SP kaum Anerkennung für seine Arbeit gefunden hat; im Gegenteil: Mehrfach wurde ihm klar zu verstehen gegeben, dass Filmstars wie er nicht gut für die Partei seien, und das schlechte Ergebnis bei den Wahlen wurde ihm persönlich und seinem Einsatz beim Wahlkampf angekreidet. Das habe ihn ebenso verletzt wie die schlechte Behandlung Amar Singhs durch die SP.
Ich denke, auf den Ausstieg von beiden auch aus der Partei selber können wir jetzt warten. Ebenso wie auf den Ausstieg von Jaya Pradha und Jaya Bachchan. Nafisa Ali hat ja schon vor einiger Zeit das Handtuch geworfen.
Donnerstag, 7. Januar 2010
Knock Out - Release announced for April 30
Quelle / Source in English
Ein erstes Release-Datum für einen Film mit Sanjay Dutt im Jahr 2010 ist bekannt: Mani Shankars Knock Out mit Sanju, Irrfan Khan und Kangna Ranaut soll am 3o. April herauskommen.
Mani Shankar's Knock Out starring Sanjay Dutt, Irrfan Khan and Kangna Ranaut is announced to be released on April 30, 2010.
Ein erstes Release-Datum für einen Film mit Sanjay Dutt im Jahr 2010 ist bekannt: Mani Shankars Knock Out mit Sanju, Irrfan Khan und Kangna Ranaut soll am 3o. April herauskommen.
Mani Shankar's Knock Out starring Sanjay Dutt, Irrfan Khan and Kangna Ranaut is announced to be released on April 30, 2010.
Sonntag, 3. Januar 2010
Aladin (2009) – Review in English
About the story: Ever since he was a child, Aladin Chatterjee (Riteish Deshmukh) has been afflicted by his forename; in school he always was teased and forced to rub lamps – and then ridiculed because no genie came out. As a result, Aladin hates lamps. But even now in college the bullying doesn’t stop, especially Kasim (Sahil Khan) and his gang keep making Aladin’s life miserable. At Aladin’s birthday, Kasim makes Jasmine (Jacqueline Fernandez), who is new in college and completely unsuspecting, to gift Aladin a lamp and to ask him to rub it. Aladin, head over heels in love with Jasmine, resigningly obeys – and this time actually a genie appears: Genius (Amitabh Bachchan) who holds out the prospect of three wishes granted to Aladin. After that, he’s looking forward to his retirement. But Genius hasn’t reckoned with the evil and power-greedy ex-genie Ringmaster (Sanjay Dutt)...
Aladin goes Harry Potter. This is what I thought several times while watching this movie. I don't want to set this out as I cannot do that without giving away parts of the story, but maybe I thus manage to make people curious about this Aladin film who otherwise possibly would shy away because of the negative box office results. For in my humble opinion, this Aladin is an exceedingly succeeded fantasy film which is great fun to watch, thanks to stunning special effects and magical tricks, and also thanks to a larksome and cheerful cast.
Producer and director Sujoy Ghosh had made it clear from the very first moment on that he didn't intend to remake the classic Aladdin by Disney – in his opinion this cartoon is far too brilliant for even making a try to repeat this magic. Instead, Ghosh placed the fairy tale from 1001 Nights into modern age and created an own story around the fairy tale's core where Aladin became a college boy and a loveable loser, Jasmine everybody's darling at college seemingly beyond Aladin's reach, and the genie became a pop star with airs and graces aswell as human weaknesses. This role was tailor-made for Amitabh Bachchan who obviously enjoyed it to the fullest; he sings and raps and acts extrovertedly and sometimes even hamming. But who cares as long as this Genius makes you laugh so much? Ghosh's Aladin movie is first of all a cheerful Big B Show.
I hardly can imagine anyone who could have played the shy and awkward and completely loveable Aladin better than Riteish Deshmukh. Jacqueline Fernandez, Miss Sri Lanka 2006, gives her film debut in Aladin and clearly shows that she has more to offer than just beauty and a charming smile; her acting is fresh and self-confident, her dancing full of spirit, and she doesn't shy away from martial arts if necessary. Sahil Khan plays with relish the unlikeable macho and bully and also shows a good portion of self-humour.
And then there is Sanjay Dutt whose villainous role as Ringmaster unfortunately was a bit neglected by Ghosh. Though Ghosh invented an interesting and wonderfully mean figure, it would have done this Ringmaster good if his history and background were formulated a bit more detailed. Also there could have been more of the face-offs and confrontations between Ringmaster and Genius – if you have two actors like Amitabh Bachchan and Sanjay Dutt who already have shown how they can set the screen on fire together, there should be more than just one battle of words at night, a final hand-to-hand combat and some small scenes in between. Anyway, Sanjay makes the best of his role, is delightfully mean and vicious and obviously had a ball playing this sort of fantasy Mogambo. He resembles a big child being cheerfully happy and gloating over spoiling the others' party. Too bad that the song "Giri Giri" which Sanjay sang himself wasn't included in the film but banished into the end credits; it's just a tiny bit of comfort that the clip was added to the Bonus DVD.
Besides the actors there are many more details which make Aladin a joy to watch, be it the seemingly effortless tricks by EyeQube, the art of Charles Darby, the bunch of scurrile circus performers accompanying Ringmaster or the catchy music and the colourful dances. The audience at the SAIFF in New York where Aladin's world premiere took place on October 28, 2009 definitely had fun with the movie aswell as later especially the children in India. But the critics couldn't get anything out of Sujoy Ghosh's fantasy film, and so Aladin failed. If you ask me: absolutely undeserved.
Produced by Sunil A Lulla, Sujoy Ghosh; Directed by Sujoy Ghosh
132 Min.; DVD: Eros, English Subtitles (including songs); Bonus DVD with Making of Aladin, Making of Songs, Giri Giri Music Video, Theatrical Trailers, Eyeqube Effects Showreel
©Diwali
Official Website
Boundscript's Aladin Blog (Part 5 "Ringmaster Arrives")
Aladin goes Harry Potter. This is what I thought several times while watching this movie. I don't want to set this out as I cannot do that without giving away parts of the story, but maybe I thus manage to make people curious about this Aladin film who otherwise possibly would shy away because of the negative box office results. For in my humble opinion, this Aladin is an exceedingly succeeded fantasy film which is great fun to watch, thanks to stunning special effects and magical tricks, and also thanks to a larksome and cheerful cast.
Producer and director Sujoy Ghosh had made it clear from the very first moment on that he didn't intend to remake the classic Aladdin by Disney – in his opinion this cartoon is far too brilliant for even making a try to repeat this magic. Instead, Ghosh placed the fairy tale from 1001 Nights into modern age and created an own story around the fairy tale's core where Aladin became a college boy and a loveable loser, Jasmine everybody's darling at college seemingly beyond Aladin's reach, and the genie became a pop star with airs and graces aswell as human weaknesses. This role was tailor-made for Amitabh Bachchan who obviously enjoyed it to the fullest; he sings and raps and acts extrovertedly and sometimes even hamming. But who cares as long as this Genius makes you laugh so much? Ghosh's Aladin movie is first of all a cheerful Big B Show.
I hardly can imagine anyone who could have played the shy and awkward and completely loveable Aladin better than Riteish Deshmukh. Jacqueline Fernandez, Miss Sri Lanka 2006, gives her film debut in Aladin and clearly shows that she has more to offer than just beauty and a charming smile; her acting is fresh and self-confident, her dancing full of spirit, and she doesn't shy away from martial arts if necessary. Sahil Khan plays with relish the unlikeable macho and bully and also shows a good portion of self-humour.
And then there is Sanjay Dutt whose villainous role as Ringmaster unfortunately was a bit neglected by Ghosh. Though Ghosh invented an interesting and wonderfully mean figure, it would have done this Ringmaster good if his history and background were formulated a bit more detailed. Also there could have been more of the face-offs and confrontations between Ringmaster and Genius – if you have two actors like Amitabh Bachchan and Sanjay Dutt who already have shown how they can set the screen on fire together, there should be more than just one battle of words at night, a final hand-to-hand combat and some small scenes in between. Anyway, Sanjay makes the best of his role, is delightfully mean and vicious and obviously had a ball playing this sort of fantasy Mogambo. He resembles a big child being cheerfully happy and gloating over spoiling the others' party. Too bad that the song "Giri Giri" which Sanjay sang himself wasn't included in the film but banished into the end credits; it's just a tiny bit of comfort that the clip was added to the Bonus DVD.
Besides the actors there are many more details which make Aladin a joy to watch, be it the seemingly effortless tricks by EyeQube, the art of Charles Darby, the bunch of scurrile circus performers accompanying Ringmaster or the catchy music and the colourful dances. The audience at the SAIFF in New York where Aladin's world premiere took place on October 28, 2009 definitely had fun with the movie aswell as later especially the children in India. But the critics couldn't get anything out of Sujoy Ghosh's fantasy film, and so Aladin failed. If you ask me: absolutely undeserved.
Produced by Sunil A Lulla, Sujoy Ghosh; Directed by Sujoy Ghosh
132 Min.; DVD: Eros, English Subtitles (including songs); Bonus DVD with Making of Aladin, Making of Songs, Giri Giri Music Video, Theatrical Trailers, Eyeqube Effects Showreel
©Diwali
Official Website
Boundscript's Aladin Blog (Part 5 "Ringmaster Arrives")
All The Best – Fun Begins... (2009) – Review in English
About the story: The ambitious but up till now unsuccessful rock musician Veer Kapur (Fardeen Khan) is moneywise depending on his millionaire step-brother, the NRI Dharam Kapur (Sanjay Dutt) who every month provides him with a lavish pocket money – not least because Veer lied to him that he is happily married to his girlfriend Vidya (Mugdha Godse). This was the idea of Veer's inventive friend Prem Chopra (Ajay Devgn), and Veer thanks him by sharing his pocket money with him. Thus Prem is able to construct a fulminant racing car, but after an illegal car race Prem and Veer find themselves up to their ears in debt with the mafia boss Tobu (Johny Lever). In their need they even rent out Veer's home, which is Dharam's villa in Goa, to the eccentric "RGV" (Sanjay Mishra). Just in this moment Dharam arrives for an unplanned visit in Goa for the purpose of finally meeting his sister-in-law Vidya. Accidentally he mistakes Prem's wife Janvi (Bipasha Basu) for Vidya and thus prompts a run of misconceptions and confusion...
In the opening credits, it says "Based on the play by Neil and Caroline Schaffner as published by Samuel French, Inc.", referring to the play "Right Bed Wrong Husband" from 1921. Producer Ajay Devgn thus hedged against plagiarism accusations which connected the ATB script with Paritosh Painter's and Balwinder Singh Suri's play "Uncle Samjha Karo" which was staged in Mumbai in November 2003 and which in turn is the Hindi version of Dinyar Contractor's English play "Whose Wife Is It Anyway?" which had been staged more than ten years before. As I don't know any of these three plays I cannot judge about the inspirations' actual origin and extent, but fact is: The film clearly shows that it's based on a solid stage play and not just on the phantasies of Indian script writers which too often lack a stringent dramaturgy.
So this is brownie point number one. Number two is the cast where director Rohit Shetty had made some really lucky pulls. Okay, in the minor parts you have to deal with almost the entire brigade of Hindi film comedians, from Johny Lever (who luckily is mute almost the whole time and scores with his eyes and mimics) to Asrani and from Sanjay Mishra and Mukesh Tiwari to the hilarious Ashwini Kalsekar as house maid Mary. But for the leads Shetty could cast not only his producer Ajay Devgn but also Sanjay Dutt and Bipasha Basu, and along with them Fardeen Khan and Mugdha Godse, both acting solid and always good for some laughs. Bipasha is the pillar of calmness amidst all the chaos, and hers are some of the most emotional moments which this comedy, thank God, also provides ("Kyon").
The film's heart and soul, however, are Tom and Jerry... sorry, I mean Sanjay and Ajay, and it's not just because of the story itself but also because of these two actors that the film only gets going from minute 37 on when Sanjay enters the scene. Both are gifted comedians, their mimic, interaction and timing are mindblowing, and it's sheer delight to watch them squabbling, pulling each other's leg and feeding each other lines with instinctive certainty. Alone their nocturnal Dostana scene (with Sanjay in a pink nightgown) is worth the whole movie. (Please open this link only if you don't mind a spoiler.)
Considering this, you can even condone weaknesses like the far too great chaos in the film's second half and the only half-baked climax. All The Best is (literally) colourful entertainment with a rocking soundtrack; scenes with way too loud and annoying humour are compensated with really touching emotional moments; and Sanjay's fans absolutely get their money's worth – not just because the Kapurs' villa in Goa is full of magnificent photos of the Deadly Dutt. Sanjay obviously had a ball doing ATB, is refreshingly funny, dances full of verve, flaunts extensively the tattoos on his shoulders and arms and rocks at the drums and with the guitar like the true rock star he, simply put, is. What more can you desire? The Sabse Favorite Comic Actor Male Award 2010 (alongside with other nominations at the Stardust and IIFA Awards) was absolutely deserved for Sanju.
Produced by Ajay Devgn; Directed by Rohit Shetty
140 Min.; DVD: Shree International/ADF/Kinesis Films, English Subtitles (including songs)
© Diwali
Official Website
All you wanted to know about All The Best / Dharam Kapur
In the opening credits, it says "Based on the play by Neil and Caroline Schaffner as published by Samuel French, Inc.", referring to the play "Right Bed Wrong Husband" from 1921. Producer Ajay Devgn thus hedged against plagiarism accusations which connected the ATB script with Paritosh Painter's and Balwinder Singh Suri's play "Uncle Samjha Karo" which was staged in Mumbai in November 2003 and which in turn is the Hindi version of Dinyar Contractor's English play "Whose Wife Is It Anyway?" which had been staged more than ten years before. As I don't know any of these three plays I cannot judge about the inspirations' actual origin and extent, but fact is: The film clearly shows that it's based on a solid stage play and not just on the phantasies of Indian script writers which too often lack a stringent dramaturgy.
So this is brownie point number one. Number two is the cast where director Rohit Shetty had made some really lucky pulls. Okay, in the minor parts you have to deal with almost the entire brigade of Hindi film comedians, from Johny Lever (who luckily is mute almost the whole time and scores with his eyes and mimics) to Asrani and from Sanjay Mishra and Mukesh Tiwari to the hilarious Ashwini Kalsekar as house maid Mary. But for the leads Shetty could cast not only his producer Ajay Devgn but also Sanjay Dutt and Bipasha Basu, and along with them Fardeen Khan and Mugdha Godse, both acting solid and always good for some laughs. Bipasha is the pillar of calmness amidst all the chaos, and hers are some of the most emotional moments which this comedy, thank God, also provides ("Kyon").
The film's heart and soul, however, are Tom and Jerry... sorry, I mean Sanjay and Ajay, and it's not just because of the story itself but also because of these two actors that the film only gets going from minute 37 on when Sanjay enters the scene. Both are gifted comedians, their mimic, interaction and timing are mindblowing, and it's sheer delight to watch them squabbling, pulling each other's leg and feeding each other lines with instinctive certainty. Alone their nocturnal Dostana scene (with Sanjay in a pink nightgown) is worth the whole movie. (Please open this link only if you don't mind a spoiler.)
Considering this, you can even condone weaknesses like the far too great chaos in the film's second half and the only half-baked climax. All The Best is (literally) colourful entertainment with a rocking soundtrack; scenes with way too loud and annoying humour are compensated with really touching emotional moments; and Sanjay's fans absolutely get their money's worth – not just because the Kapurs' villa in Goa is full of magnificent photos of the Deadly Dutt. Sanjay obviously had a ball doing ATB, is refreshingly funny, dances full of verve, flaunts extensively the tattoos on his shoulders and arms and rocks at the drums and with the guitar like the true rock star he, simply put, is. What more can you desire? The Sabse Favorite Comic Actor Male Award 2010 (alongside with other nominations at the Stardust and IIFA Awards) was absolutely deserved for Sanju.
Produced by Ajay Devgn; Directed by Rohit Shetty
140 Min.; DVD: Shree International/ADF/Kinesis Films, English Subtitles (including songs)
© Diwali
Official Website
All you wanted to know about All The Best / Dharam Kapur
Blue (2009) – Review in English
About the story: In the Bahamas, the rich businessman Aarav (Akshay Kumar) befriended the fisherman and experienced scuba diver Sagar (Sanjay Dutt) who, together with his wife Mona (Lara Dutta), lives a simple and modest life. Several times Aarav mentions the "Lady In Blue" to Sagar – a ship loaded with treasures which decades ago foundered off the coast and which Aarav wants to find. But Sagar always plays down this issue and doesn't want to have anything to do with it. Only when his younger brother Sam (Zayed Khan) and Mona get into a life-threatening situation because Sam in Bangkok has run into high debts with the dubious Gulshan (Rahul Dev), Sagar overcomes his qualms concerning the "Lady In Blue" despite the traumatic experiences from his past linked with that ship...
Blue was one of the most expected Hindi films in 2009. Director Anthony D'Souza who learnt his trade in Hollywood gathered an expert crew around him, headed by action director James Bomalick, underwater cameraman Pete Zuccarini and composer AR Rahman, and provoked curiosity and finally hype by his announciation of underwater scenes as never seen before in Hindi cinema, by a high budget and by a cast including stars like Katrina Kaif and Kabir Bedi even for minor roles plus Australian pop star Kylie Minogue. After the world premiere at the MEIFF in Abu Dhabi on October 14, 2009, Blue saw a fabulous opening weekend in India, but soon the attendance decreased as it became clear that Blue didn't live up to the expectations the hype had created.
Well, it wasn't the fault of the underwater scenes. They were indeed impressive and fabulously shot. Even the action scenes clearly showed that they were made by experts, though for my taste it was at least one motorbike chase too much. This movie's main problem was the script respectively the lack of a thrilling and stringent story. The basic idea was good – the ship full of treasures from India the British in an act of good-will wanted to return which, however, sank in July 1949 – but the story's developing lacked a bit of inspiration. Maybe Anthony D'Souza counted too much on the visual and technical aspects of his film; but these things can never replace a well-told story.
This also reflects in the actors' performances; obviously they had most fun with the scenes which usually don't belong to their daily routine – diving round the ship wreck together with some dozens of sharks, plus water sports and swimming tours with dolphins in the sea. But all in all, no one really excels. Having had just a few months' interval after the nerve-wrecking final phase of his court case and his incarceration, Sanjay Dutt was, in spite of intense training, far away from his best form but could at least score in his emotional scenes, be it with Zayed Khan (likeable and not really as cool as intended) or with Lara Dutta who literally cut a fine (bikini) figure and harmonised well with Sanjay – together they radiated a warm-hearted familiarness which makes you forget their age difference, particularly as they played a happily married couple.
Akshay Kumar delivers an experienced performance as the macho and womanizer. Rahul Dev as Gulshan rises to the position of the film's hidden star. At his side, Katrina Kaif as Nikki hasn't got much to do, and Kabir Bedi as the captain of the foundered "Lady In Blue" even less; you just can't believe how a star of his calibre can be as underutilized as Kabir in Blue. The Australian pop diva Kylie Minogue openly declared that with her first appearance in a Bollywood film a dream had come true for her, and her "Chiggy Wiggy" is quite a nice clip; however, in case she wants to return to B-town again I'd wish her a song better integrated into the story and a far better make-up man.
Sanjay allegedly has mentioned his regrets about that Blue wasn't made one year later when he definitely was in a far better shape than in 2008. But in my opinion this wouldn't have improved the film very much. You can watch it and enjoy the beautiful nature pictures, but you won't get more than just a bit of nice entertainment. For those who desire to see Sanjay and Akshay together in a movie I recommend Amaanat which was shot fifteen years earlier – okay, there's hardly any water in it but definitely more fun.
Produced by Dhilin Mehta; Directed by Anthony D'Souza
116 Min.; DVD: Shemaroo, English Subtitles (including songs); Special Features: Making of the Film, Making of Songs
© Diwali
Official Website
Interview with James Bomalick / Press Conference (Video)
All you wanted to know about Blue
Blue was one of the most expected Hindi films in 2009. Director Anthony D'Souza who learnt his trade in Hollywood gathered an expert crew around him, headed by action director James Bomalick, underwater cameraman Pete Zuccarini and composer AR Rahman, and provoked curiosity and finally hype by his announciation of underwater scenes as never seen before in Hindi cinema, by a high budget and by a cast including stars like Katrina Kaif and Kabir Bedi even for minor roles plus Australian pop star Kylie Minogue. After the world premiere at the MEIFF in Abu Dhabi on October 14, 2009, Blue saw a fabulous opening weekend in India, but soon the attendance decreased as it became clear that Blue didn't live up to the expectations the hype had created.
Well, it wasn't the fault of the underwater scenes. They were indeed impressive and fabulously shot. Even the action scenes clearly showed that they were made by experts, though for my taste it was at least one motorbike chase too much. This movie's main problem was the script respectively the lack of a thrilling and stringent story. The basic idea was good – the ship full of treasures from India the British in an act of good-will wanted to return which, however, sank in July 1949 – but the story's developing lacked a bit of inspiration. Maybe Anthony D'Souza counted too much on the visual and technical aspects of his film; but these things can never replace a well-told story.
This also reflects in the actors' performances; obviously they had most fun with the scenes which usually don't belong to their daily routine – diving round the ship wreck together with some dozens of sharks, plus water sports and swimming tours with dolphins in the sea. But all in all, no one really excels. Having had just a few months' interval after the nerve-wrecking final phase of his court case and his incarceration, Sanjay Dutt was, in spite of intense training, far away from his best form but could at least score in his emotional scenes, be it with Zayed Khan (likeable and not really as cool as intended) or with Lara Dutta who literally cut a fine (bikini) figure and harmonised well with Sanjay – together they radiated a warm-hearted familiarness which makes you forget their age difference, particularly as they played a happily married couple.
Akshay Kumar delivers an experienced performance as the macho and womanizer. Rahul Dev as Gulshan rises to the position of the film's hidden star. At his side, Katrina Kaif as Nikki hasn't got much to do, and Kabir Bedi as the captain of the foundered "Lady In Blue" even less; you just can't believe how a star of his calibre can be as underutilized as Kabir in Blue. The Australian pop diva Kylie Minogue openly declared that with her first appearance in a Bollywood film a dream had come true for her, and her "Chiggy Wiggy" is quite a nice clip; however, in case she wants to return to B-town again I'd wish her a song better integrated into the story and a far better make-up man.
Sanjay allegedly has mentioned his regrets about that Blue wasn't made one year later when he definitely was in a far better shape than in 2008. But in my opinion this wouldn't have improved the film very much. You can watch it and enjoy the beautiful nature pictures, but you won't get more than just a bit of nice entertainment. For those who desire to see Sanjay and Akshay together in a movie I recommend Amaanat which was shot fifteen years earlier – okay, there's hardly any water in it but definitely more fun.
Produced by Dhilin Mehta; Directed by Anthony D'Souza
116 Min.; DVD: Shemaroo, English Subtitles (including songs); Special Features: Making of the Film, Making of Songs
© Diwali
Official Website
Interview with James Bomalick / Press Conference (Video)
All you wanted to know about Blue
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